Gold bars and coins might come with stamps, purity marks, and serial numbers. However, this doesn’t suggest that the product in question is gold. Examples of gold that are low-quality and have been fabricated to be high-quality have been identified. Fake gold-plated bullion coins and bars are also filled with heavy metals, such as lead, beneath the plating. So, how do you know whether the gold is real?
It is essential to verify the item’s authenticity to determine the exact worth of the bullion-minted bar or coin you’re purchasing. This guide has been created to help you safeguard your investment, determine the exact value, and ensure you get exactly what you’re buying. Find out about simple tests you can do at home to help answer your question: How do you verify if gold is real?
Testing Size and Weight
This test is appropriate for gold coins since it checks the weight and Size of the gold coin you bought. Gold is among the heaviest metals, with distinctive characteristics that are hard to duplicate. That means fake gold coins created using other metals will be more expensive than real gold coins with similar weight.
How can you test the gold’s Size and weight? For instance, a counterfeit Britannia 1-ounce gold coin will require to be broader and thicker to bear the exact weight of the actual coin. Also, an imitation Britannia coin of the same diameter and thickness as the real one will be much smaller. It is, therefore, essential to know exactly the weight, Size, and Size of gold you’re purchasing essential in helping to distinguish counterfeit gold.
The Ping/Sound Test
How can you tell whether gold is genuine using an audio test? Genuine gold makes a high-pitched sound when struck by other metal. To test this, put the gold coin into the finger pit on your index. Make a strike with another metal or a currency coin. Gold coins produce a long, loud sound after being struck. In contrast, the base metals produce an indifferent long, heavy noise when struck.
The Magnet Test
A magnetic test can be a simple test to verify your identity that you can perform at your home. It is not magnetic as compared to the other types of metals. Gold bullion coin jewelry, bars, and bars aren’t magnetized. If you’ve got a strong magnet in your home, you can try using it to select any gold product. Gold bars, coins, and other objects that stick to magnets are a good amount of other elements.
But other non-magnetic metals are available because counterfeits also are tested. So, how do you determine whether gold is genuine? Experts suggest that the magnet test be conducted in conjunction with other tests.
The Nitric Acid Test
The test for nitric acid is among the riskiest of tests since you could damage the gold you have if it is mixed in with different metals. This test is suitable only for gold-pure bullion bars and coins. What can you tell whether gold is genuine using the nitric Acid test? It is a test based on the reality that the gold itself is indestructible to oxidation and corrosion. Pure gold is not damaged or dissolved by acidic substances like nitric acid.
Nitric acid is available in various concentrations based on the purity of the bullion gold that you’d prefer to try. For instance, if you purchase nitric acid that is marked as 24-carat gold and then utilize it as a test for your 24-carat gold bullion and it starts to melt the color of the metal, that means it’s not gold at all or that it’s mixed in with other metals of lower purity.
The Magnifying Glass Test
A magnifying glass is a simple test you can take home if you wish to verify whether the gold you purchased is genuine. To conduct this test, you’ll need only a magnifying glass along with the bullion bar or coin to be examined. The exam requires you to carefully scrutinize gold objects with a magnifying lens and look for specific markings. The indicators to be looking for are:
Signs of discoloration
Gold doesn’t react with any chemical. So, when you examine genuine bullion bars and coins of gold with a magnifying glass, you don’t notice any indications of discoloration. If there are spots and discoloration of your gold bullion, it’s a sign that your bullion bars or coins could be counterfeit.
Color and Luster
Real Gold is soft and has a beautiful yellow hue that isn’t shiny. Bars and coins of gold that appear shiny or too yellow or reddish are not genuine.
The Purity Hallmark
This is among the most vital signs to look out for when evaluating the worth of your gold. Purity levels are usually engraved on gold bars and coins according to the millesimal fineness or karat system. For example, the 4-carat or .999 fine gold ought to be marked with a symbol of quality in the form of a mark on the coin, bar, or jewelry.
How can you tell if gold is real using this test? Fineness levels are engraved and are visible on the back of gold coins and bars. For jewelry, the 24K symbol or .999 quality levels are visible on the inner parts. It is important to note that engravings on bullion coins and bars may be fake. This is why additional tests require even after finding the purity hallmarks.
Other signs to look out for are hallmarks that meet country-specific standards. This includes the assayer’s numbers, marks for Assayers, and the hallmarking center’s mark. Searching for the year marking is also essential, typically stated in the purity grade. The year is engraved with alphabetic letters approved by the BIS and the company that made the jewelry.
If you are looking at purity markers, it is best to avoid products bearing one of the stamps below:
- HGP-Heavy (Hard) Gold Plate
- GF-Gold Filled
- GP-Gold Plated
- G.E-Hydrostatic Gold Electroplating
- E.P-Gold electroplating
- .925-Sterling Silver
- 1/20-1/20 gold-filled gold
Knowing the Source
Many companies offer precious metal bullion coins and bars, such as the US Mint, the Austrian Mint, the Australian Mint, the Shenyang Mint, the South African Mint, and the Royal Canadian Mint.
Making purchases of gold bullion coins and bars from reputable sources such as those mentioned above will eliminate security issues. There are a few key aspects to consider when you are considering bullion coins and bars, whether from an individual firm or brick-and-mortar stores. The factors to consider include:
- Can you contact the company quickly?
- Do representatives speak to customers to understand their financial requirements before making contact?
- Do representatives pressure customers to purchase?
- How long has the business you plan to work with been in operation?
- Does the business have favorable online reviews?
The Scratch Test
Another test that is easy to perform you can perform to confirm the authenticity of gold bullion bars and coins. To conduct this test, you require one of the following: the jeweler’s stone, an unglazed ceramic plate, and an unglazed tile. Tiles made of porcelain and ceramic are available quickly online or at the maintenance shop.
You need to conduct tests cautiously. If you’re not careful, you could damage your precious gold. Choose the gold item you wish to test and gently rub it against the porcelain or ceramic plate. Use enough force for scratching the surface without causing any severe damage to the object.
Examine the color of the mark on the surface of the gold object. If the bullion gold coin you’re testing is genuine, you’ll notice a gold, yellow hue. Scratch marks that create black streaks indicate that you work with counterfeit gold.
The Skin Test
The test of skin discoloration is another method to assess the purity of gold. Pure gold won’t color or stain your skin. However, wearing fake gold will cause your skin to turn discolored over time. To test your skin, you must place the gold object in your hands for a couple of minutes.
If the bullion gold bar or coin is not genuine, it will react to the sweat on your skin. The skin’s reaction will change from green to black. This indicates that your skin will affect by other alloy metals covered with gold. Gold that is genuine and has good purity doesn’t react with human skin. Before you conduct the test, ensure that there isn’t any skin makeup.
The Makeup Test
Makeup tests are a method to determine whether or not gold is real. To conduct the test, you’ll require a foundation and liquid powder. Spread a small foundation on your forehead or one end of your hands. On the top of the foundation, apply an even powder coat. Let the foundation dry. Apply the gold to your skin while gently rubbing it lightly against the foundation.
If the product leaves a dark trail on your skin, it’s likely to be genuine gold. The black streak’s inability to show up indicates that your gold is not genuine or composes of a different metal or gold coated.
The Vinegar Test
The vinegar test is a simple procedure requiring white vinegar and glass containers or droppers. Place the gold bullion you are planning to test on a white towel. Utilizing a dropper, spray some vinegar over the gold. If the color of the gold shifts and it’s not 100% pure gold. The fact that the color of the gold remains the same after you add vinegar indicates it’s pure gold.
The Float Test
A float test can be a straightforward test that can determine that gold bars are genuine at a glance. Put your gold item in the water in a cup or bowl. It will fall into the bottom of the container right away if it is genuine gold. Pure gold is hefty because it is dense, with an average dense density (19.32g/ml).
If the golden object you’re testing floats or hovers over the container, it’s gold-plated or fake. This is because the gold content differs from the karat or the purity levels. For example, the 14K gold coin contains 12.9 of 14.6g/ml pure gold. An 18k gold bullion bar or coin contains 15.2 to 15.9g/ml of gold. In contrast, the 22k version is 17.7 or 17.8/ml in gold. The float test isn’t 100% accurate as counterfeit gold can include other metals that sink.
Take a Bite Test
This test isn’t the most effective method to determine whether your gold bullion bars and coins are authentic. But, it’s an easy test you can do at home and quickly. The test is a simple one. You bite the golden object to determine whether your teeth leave bite marks. If you notice that your teeth have left gold bite marks, then the item is genuine.
The bite test isn’t advisable due to two reasons. For one, gold-plated objects exhibit marks after being your bite. Additionally, a small amount of gold may cause harm for your tooth. If you must take the test, ensure you take the utmost care.
Test Templates
The most popular investment coins, such as the American Eagle and the Krugerrand, come with Frisch coin detectors. This test is a great tool even for non-professionals to swiftly and efficiently confirm the authenticity of bars and gold coins they’ve bought. Test templates are available for around $50. Verifiers of precious metals are uses to confirm the authenticity of the currency by looking at its dimensions and identifying even the tiniest of deviations. The biggest issue in this testing is that counterfeits of good quality can pass.
We’ll look at other ways to stay clear of scams by reading an actual What-Not-To-Do-Story that occurred to my good friend X. One day, X said to me that he had plans to buy a bag of Krugerrands (a South African coin, you can learn more about the coin here at the hyperlink) from an unknown dealer. The dealer came straight to his office with an assortment of coins and offered X an item to look at his request. X quickly went to my office to get gold authenticity. As a certified and professional dealer in gold, I do not necessarily need to follow the steps mentioned above to determine if the gold is genuine or fake. After examining the coin, it’s undoubtedly, authentic. However, I needed to let my friend understand the real motives of the dealer. In my friend’s ignorance, the dealer gave him the bag filled with fake Krugerrands. After the transaction, the shady dealer substituted one genuine currency with a counterfeit one.
This tale is a stark reminder to take additional steps and steps to prevent expensive fraud. Besides choosing a legitimate dealer, do your research! Make sure you do your homework and bring along a third party with experience with similar deals. A trusted third party at the transaction can give you more security and security. In addition, gold testing devices help identify counterfeits.
